For The Love Of Tea And Silver

The earliest known silver tea pot was made in 1670, now in the Victoria and Albert museum in London. Prior to 1727, due to the expense of tea, teapots were quite small in size. It wasn't until 1727-59, during the reign of George II, that teapots were made of a larger size. As the public demand for tea wares grew, what began with rather simple styles developed into exquisite masterpieces of creativity.

Although quite rare, silver tea cups and saucers exist dating from 1684 to 1700. Influenced by the early Chinese forms, they were made without handles, with both the cups and the saucers in the convex fluted style.

The popularity of tea drinking brought with it the use of sugar. Silver sugar basins were first introduced under the reign of William III, 1695-1702. Originally Chinese influenced, they were made with a rounded base and saucer like cover, transforming later to the three footed style to compliment the tea pots they accompanied. Silver sugar baskets first appeared at the time of Queen Anne and reappeared with colored glass linings at the end of the eighteenth century.

The English, during the Queen Anne period, were the first to use cream (milk) and sugar in their tea. The earliest silver specimens were simple with round feet, evolving in later years to the style of the tea services of which they were a part.

Did you know the words "tea caddy" were derived from the Malay word “KATE” which means a weight equivalent to 1 and 1/15 of a pound? As tea was always sold by the "Kate", the name caddy became associated to the container in which the tea was held. In order to keep blends separated, tea caddies were originally made with a lock and key in sets of three and later in a set of two. As the price of tea became more affordable, the sizes of tea caddies increased.

With no known existing examples, the earliest tea kettle was in 1687 of Royal Warrant. In keeping with the high costs of tea, infusion at the table not only prevented waste, but insured that the water was served at the correct temperature. When purchasing antique silver kettles, insure the hallmarks on the bodies and stand match.

In 1790 the incorporation of the first silver tea service containing a tea pot, sugar and creamer came to be. The complete tea service of six pieces with a kettle, coffee pot and waste bowl of uniform design was introduced in the mid 1800s. Queen Victoria's love of afternoon tea produced an enthusiasm matched by many fine silversmiths whose tea services are greatly sought after even today.

THE CARE AND CLEANING OF SILVER:
All silver should be cleaned on a regular basis and with great care using a standard polish or paste applied by hand. No dipping solutions, as they strip the patina of the silver. Always use a soft cloth or sponge, rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth or towel. Never use steel wool or any solutions that would cause abrasions to the silver. If silver is left to tarnish to the point where buffing is required, the piece is in danger of eradicating its hallmarks. Fine silver may be individually wrapped in protective anti-tarnish bags for storage. Silver lacquering is not approved of as it causes a glaring finish, which detracts from the beauty of the natural patina.